Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of establishing an informal Sudan Advisory Group which includes specialists on Sudan and on conflict and justice-related issues.

In response to the outbreak of conflict on 15 April, the FCDO created an enhanced Sudan Unit, bringing in a range of specialist, including on humanitarian, conflict, and justice-related issues. The FCDO also regularly engages with a range of partners on the current issues facing Sudan. This includes engagement with the Sudanese diaspora community, NGOs, academics, domestic stakeholders and both international and regional partners on topics including conflict, atrocity prevention, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. These engagements have created opportunities for knowledge-sharing and for the UK to support international efforts to secure the permanent cessation of hostilities and a return to peace and stability in Sudan.